Regulation Crypto

On February 6, 2025, the Cboe BZX exchange filed, on behalf of four asset managers, applications for the creation of spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) based on XRP. The companies involved are Canary Capital, WisdomTree, 21Shares, and Bitwise. These filings mark a significant milestone in the expansion of crypto-related financial products in the United States.

The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) has tightened the noose on cryptocurrencies. On February 5, the regulator excluded crypto funds from reduced margin eligibility, citing their high volatility and liquidity risks.

Holding bitcoin for three years and permanently avoiding capital gains tax? This once-unimaginable scenario is becoming a reality in the Czech Republic. Starting in 2025, cryptocurrency investors will benefit from a full exemption on their capital gains, provided they adhere to a holding period and certain specific rules. This initiative is shaking up the European tax landscape, stirring both the enthusiasm of investors and the questions of experts. What are the stakes of this bold reform? An analysis of a measure with significant implications.

A key step has been taken in the regulation of the crypto market in the United States. Under the leadership of Mark Uyeda, acting chair, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced the creation of a Crypto Task Force, an entity responsible for providing more clarity to the rules governing cryptocurrencies. To structure its actions, the SEC has launched a dedicated website that offers companies and investors a space to submit their proposals and better understand regulatory requirements. This initiative comes as the crypto sector calls for clear guidelines and as the SEC faces off against the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) over the issue of jurisdiction for cryptocurrencies. In addition to defining the boundary between securities and unregulated assets, this task force could shape the future of crypto ETFs and influence the oversight of trading platforms. However, its real impact will depend on its ability to establish a constructive dialogue with the industry, an approach that is still lacking in the SEC's current policy.

On February 4, 2025, David Sacks, recently appointed as the "Czar" of cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence (AI) by the Trump administration, made a resounding announcement at a historic conference. Before an audience of investors, entrepreneurs, and regulators, he declared the end of the "persecution" of the crypto industry in the United States, a major turning point for the sector.

In the grand theater of power, Trump outlines a bold move: perhaps a crypto-friendly sovereign fund. Between a bluff and strategic genius, the suspense remains intact.

India is currently reassessing its position regarding cryptocurrencies. Ajay Seth, the economic secretary of the Ministry of Finance, stated that India is closely monitoring international developments related to cryptocurrencies. The rise of these digital assets globally is prompting the country to reflect on its regulation and policy regarding crypto.

Ethereum (ETH) is drastically down to $3000, and despite that, some traders are still managing to profit from this downward trend. This is the case for a savvy investor, who has made nearly 16 million dollars in gains by betting against the crypto! So, is Ethereum more profitable during a downturn?

Asset management company 21Shares has recently filed an application with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch a Polkadot (DOT) exchange-traded fund (ETF). According to the filing on January 31, 2025, the goal is to list the 21Shares Polkadot Trust on the Cboe BZX crypto exchange, with Coinbase acting as the custodian of the DOT. However, there are potential risks associated with the Polkadot network that could compel the regulator to shut down this fund if it is approved.

Ethereum (ETH) is currently in a complex phase, caught between a decline, poor performance, and a critical resistance level. Currently, ETH is trading around $3,241, which is a drop of about 33% from its all-time high! However, for Ethereum to regain the record level of $4,878 reached in November 2021, several significant developments need to take place, or the cryptocurrency risks experiencing a more pronounced drop.

Kicked out of the SEC but not off the radar, Gensler bounces back at MIT. Supreme irony: he will teach what he methodically fought against. New stance or even an imposture?

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Pump.fun, the memecoin creation platform on the Solana blockchain, accusing it of selling unregistered securities and promoting "pump-and-dump" schemes. The complaint, filed on January 30, 2025, in a federal court in New York by Diego Aguilar, alleges that all cryptocurrencies issued on Pump.fun are "unregistered securities", representing an evolution of Ponzi schemes and pump-and-dump! The platform is said to have generated nearly 500 million dollars in fees related to these activities.

The issuer of the USDT stablecoin has expressed concerns regarding the withdrawal of its crypto from European platforms. This decision, driven by the new MiCA regulation, could create a "disordered" market according to Tether and pose risks for European consumers.

The Salvadoran government has urgently passed a major amendment to its bitcoin legislation, abandoning the requirement for companies to accept BTC as a means of payment. This reform comes as part of a $1.4 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The Lone Star State could become the first American state to officially establish a bitcoin reserve. Dan Patrick, the Lieutenant Governor of Texas, has included this project among the legislative priorities for 2025, marking a decisive milestone in the institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies in the United States.

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, continues to expand his footprint in the crypto space by integrating his official memecoin, $TRUMP, into the sale of merchandise. Holders of $TRUMP can now purchase items such as sneakers, watches, and perfumes using this token. This initiative marks a significant evolution for the 47th president, who previously referred to the value of cryptocurrencies as "based on thin air."

On January 28, 2025, the Cboe BZX exchange filed new ETF applications focused on Solana for Bitwise, VanEck, 21Shares, and Canary Capital. Following a disappointing outcome in 2024, these initiatives aim to revive the SEC's review, marking a significant milestone for crypto adoption in traditional financial markets.

Bitwise, a crypto asset management company, recently filed an application with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch an exchange-traded fund (ETF) based on Dogecoin (DOGE). This initiative marks an important step for Bitwise, which had already registered a Dogecoin trust in Delaware earlier this month.

Tuttle Capital Management recently filed for the launch of 10 leveraged crypto ETFs, including the memecoins $TRUMP and $MELANIA, created by current U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. These leveraged ETFs aim to amplify the daily returns of the underlying assets, thus offering potentially high profit opportunities but also increased risks for crypto investors.

The U.S. Senate approved on January 27 the appointment of Scott Bessent, a hedge fund manager and staunch advocate of cryptocurrencies, to the strategic position of Secretary of the Treasury. This choice, backed by Donald Trump, marks a potential turning point in the economic and crypto policy of the United States.

Ripple, the crypto service provider, recently announced that it has obtained money transmission licenses (MTL) in the states of New York and Texas. This strategic expansion enhances Ripple's presence in the United States, bringing the total number of its MTL licenses to over 50 in the country.

OKX and Crypto.com obtain their MiCA licenses. They gain access to 400M customers in 30 European crypto markets. Details here!

Elon Musk, the famous entrepreneur and innovator, is currently exploring the use of blockchain technology to reduce the expenses of the U.S. government. This initiative is led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new entity he oversees, created to modernize federal operations and maximize the efficiency of the U.S. government.

Ripple Labs recently requested the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to set a deadline of April 16, 2025, for filing its counter-brief in its ongoing litigation with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). This request, which could be decisive for both parties, represents a legal strategy by Ripple to challenge certain rulings of the district court that favored the SEC regarding the sales of the XRP crypto.

The ban on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) in the United States by Donald Trump is disrupting the global dynamics of state-run digital currency projects. This historic decision raises questions about the future of CBDCs, particularly in Europe where the ECB is maintaining its course towards a digital euro.

Donald Trump redefines the future of crypto with a decree banning CBDCs and favoring stablecoins. Discover his vision to make the United States a global leader.

The SEC has just revoked the accounting bulletin SAB 121, and removed the constraints on financial institutions in the United States. This decision now paves the way for increased adoption of DeFi services and strengthens the position of Ethereum in the crypto landscape. With these changes, Ethereum could experience a surge in investor interest, and very soon reach $7,000!

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of ETH, recently shared his vision for the future of the Ethereum blockchain in 2025, emphasizing the importance of layer 2 (L2) solutions and strengthening the role of Ether in the ecosystem. Additionally, he unveiled an unprecedented technique that will enable Ethereum to achieve 100,000 crypto transactions per second! Which one?